Tag: imagination

Cosmic imagery in a cool mural evokes wonder!

A wide-eyed human face on a wall in North Park, surrounded by cosmic imagery.
A wide-eyed face on a building wall in North Park, surrounded by cosmic imagery.

Here’s even more North Park street art! Check out these photos!

This spray painted mural was signed by the artists DEXR, ARMOR, EYEMAX and SADE. Full of cosmic imagery, the panoply of swirling forms and symbols evokes wonder. The universe it seems to depict is vast and mysterious. All I know for sure is that the artwork is really cool!

You can find this colorful street art on El Cajon Boulevard, just east of 30th Street.

I first spied this cool street art from the intersection at 30th Street and El Cajon Boulevard.
I first spied this street art from the intersection at 30th Street and El Cajon Boulevard.
The mural on the Supercuts building contains many complex, colorful elements. Like a magnet it drew me in.
The mural on the Supercuts building contains many complex, colorful elements. Like a magnet it drew me in.
Two fused female faces, or one seen in two glances. I get the impression that time, space and information are being affected by that shining object on the left.
Two fused female faces, or one seen in two glances. I get the impression that time, space and information are being affected by that shining object on the left.
Whether that's a black hole, the origin of the universe, a star, or something else--the theme seems to be the mystery of Creation. And I see a dragon at the fractured boundary, a symbol of Chaos.
Whether that’s a black hole, the origin of the universe, a star, or something else–the theme seems to be the mystery of Creation. And I see a dragon at the fractured boundary, a symbol of Chaos.
A face seems to gaze from another place behind a transparent window at the unspeakably vast and wonderful cosmos.
A face seems to gaze from another place behind a transparent window at the unspeakably vast and wonderful cosmos.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to enjoy!

Street art faces on 30th Street in North Park!

Cool female face on one side of a utility box on 30th Street in North Park.
Cool female face on one side of a utility box on 30th Street in North Park.

In the past I’ve posted dozens of street art photos from San Diego’s hip North Park neighborhood. But here come even more!

I spotted these cool street art faces (mostly human faces, that is) along 30th Street, between University Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard!

Enjoy!

(To see lots more North Park street art, look for the “Related” links at the bottom of this blog post. Or simply click the “street art” tag in my website’s sidebar to see hundreds of examples from all around San Diego! And, as always, feel free to use the share buttons! Have fun!)

Another face, same box.
Another face, same box.
A third red face looks down the North Park sidewalk.
A third red face looks down the North Park sidewalk.
A blue face with a faint smile. Minimalist street art by Alex Avila.
A blue face with a faint smile. Minimalist street art by Alex Avila.
A funny pink stretchy blob face covers its eyes and yells!
A funny pink stretchy blob face covers its eyes and yells!
Another side and another funny face.
Another side and another funny face.
Street lamp banners along 30th Street in North Park feature imaginative faces. Explore Art.
Street lamp banners along 30th Street in North Park feature imaginative faces. Explore Art.
There is certainly a lot of urban art to explore throughout North Park!
There is certainly a lot of urban art to explore throughout North Park!
Funny graffiti faces on an electrical box.
Funny graffiti faces on an electrical box.
More multi-colored faces on the other side of the box. And some fun figures, too!
More multi-colored faces on the other side of the box. And some fun figures, too!
Not a face here. Just a hand.
Not a face here. Just a hand.
A bare pink face on a painted mannequin. Abstract street art in North Park.
A bare pink face on a painted mannequin. Abstract street art in North Park.
The regal face of a tiger. Grand Prestoz.
The regal face of a tiger. Grand Prestoz.
Yes, even flying pigs have faces.
Yes, even flying pigs have faces.
Jumbled eyes, lips and faces in this cool street art at the Thrift Trader in North Park.
Jumbled eyes, lips and faces in this cool street art at the Thrift Trader in North Park.
Two funky faces watch people walking down the sidewalk from a window above a bin of CD's.
Two funky faces watch people walking down the sidewalk from a window above a bin of CD’s.
The face of a Belching Beaver isn't something you often see. Unless, perhaps, you drink lots of their beer!
The face of a Belching Beaver isn’t something you often see. Unless, perhaps, you drink lots of their beer!
Not street art, but an artful face in a window on 30th Street. This is VIP Paints - San Diego, a special studio where the public can go to learn and create art!
Not street art, but an artful face in a window on 30th Street. This is VIP Paints – San Diego, a special studio where the public can go to learn and create art!
The face of a pink flamingo painted on a utility box!
The head of a pink flamingo painted on a utility box!
Artistic collage on a public telephone includes the printed word, and various stencil faces and figures.
Artistic collage on a public telephone includes the printed word, and various stencil faces and figures.
Creativity can be found up and down the streets of North Park!
Creativity can be found up and down the streets of North Park!

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This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego!  Are you curious?  There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!

Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts.  If you’re using a small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!

To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Fun photos of Sun God bird sculpture at UCSD.

Sun God sculpture, by French sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle, at University of California San Diego.
Sun God sculpture, by French-born sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle, at University of California San Diego.

I absolutely love this sculpture. It’s called Sun God. This colorful public art was created by renowned French sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle. There are several other sculptures by the artist around San Diego, as you might have seen previously on my blog. Here and here and here.

Yesterday I walked through UCSD’s Muir College to get some photos of the Sun God. And there it stood, perched eternally on its living green arch, reflecting the golden San Diego sunlight amid tall eucalyptus trees. What a sight!

This much-loved landmark at University of California San Diego was created by Niki de Saint Phalle in 1983. She was known for producing large, colorful figures that appear to have emerged from mythology or highly imaginative tales of fantasy. While the Sun God is frequently outfitted by mischievous students with outlandish attire, the fourteen-foot-high bird remains unmoved. It merely gazes across the human landscape from its lofty station in the sky, thinking otherworldly, godly, inscrutable thoughts.

Science is taught in the buildings across the way. I doubt those professors have an adequate explanation for the Sun God. It is a true work of art.

The impressive, brightly colorful Sun God stands with wings spread wide in sun-worshiping San Diego.
The impressive, brightly colorful Sun God stands with wings spread wide in sun-worshiping San Diego.
A path of stones leads through the Sun God's green archway.
A path of stones leads through the Sun God’s green archway.
Plaque reads SUN GOD, Niki de Saint Phalle, 1983. It's on loan from the Stuart Foundation.
Plaque reads SUN GOD, Niki de Saint Phalle, 1983. It’s on loan from the Stuart Foundation.
Sun God faces Muir College classrooms, where science is taught. UCSD is one of the top public universities in the United States.
Sun God faces Muir College classrooms, where science is taught. UCSD is one of the top public universities in the United States.
The Sun God bird sculpture with a shining crown of gold rises powerfully, mysteriously in the blue sky.
The Sun God bird sculpture with a shining crown of gold rises powerfully, mysteriously into the blue sky.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to enjoy!

Even more cool street art at SILO in East Village!

A sexy San Diego lady and graffiti on a wall inside the very unique SILO venue in East Village.
A sexy San Diego lady and graffiti on a wall inside the very unique SILO venue in East Village.

Check out these photos!   I discovered more street art murals at SILO in East Village!

I’ve blogged about this very cool special event venue several times in the past, here and here and here.  The spray-painted murals and graffiti are constantly changing, and there are a number of newer works that I hadn’t seen until I walked by this morning. Here they are!

The wall along F Street at SILO has been painted with various cool bits of urban art. That doughnut is making me hungry.
The wall along F Street at SILO has been painted with various cool bits of urban art. That doughnut is making me hungry.
A San Diego Sea Walls mural on the same wall features a bearded face and two hands. Not sure about the symbolism.
A San Diego Sea Walls mural on the same wall features a bearded face and two hands. Not sure about the symbolism.
Walking along the sidewalk, we now spy a funky purplish face.
Walking along the sidewalk, we now spy a funky purplish face.
A squished-up greenish face.
A squished-up greenish face.
An orange face with oddly protruding eyeballs.
An orange face with oddly protruding eyeballs.
Some colorful graffiti I hadn't seen previously inside SILO. It's probably been a year since I walked by here. Took this and the following photos through a fence.
Some colorful graffiti I hadn’t seen previously inside SILO. It’s probably been a year since I walked by here. I took this and the following photos through a fence.
Looks like a strange scene from Alice in Wonderland.
Looks like a strange scene from Alice in Wonderland.
Female face spray painted on a wall.
Female face spray painted on a wall.
A look down into the fantastic SILO special event venue. I don't recall seeing that cargo container before.
A look down into the fantastic SILO special event venue. I don’t recall seeing that cargo container before.
Just tons of cool images. Like a crazy dream in the center of the city! I think that mural on top might be somewhat new.
Just tons of cool images. Like a crazy dream in the center of the city! I think that mural on top might be somewhat new.
A very cool abstract jumble of street art on a brick wall.
A very cool abstract jumble of street art on a brick wall.
Looks like some sort of cosmic bird deities have arrived from outer space. You tell me what this one means!
Looks like some sort of cosmic bird deities have arrived from outer space. You tell me what this one means!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of unique photos for you to enjoy!

Cool street art and signs in Ocean Beach!

Surfer walks past a community mural in Ocean Beach. The mural project was begun by OB artist Rich James in 1999. Residents each paint a square in the finished artwork.
Surfer walks past a community mural in Ocean Beach. The mural project was begun by OB artist Rich James in 1999. During special events, residents each paint a square in the mosaic artwork.

Just some more cool photos of colorful signs and street art taken while walking around Ocean Beach. I’ve arranged them in no particular order. Enjoy!

Cool street art mural on the side of a building near the foot of the OB pier.
Cool street art mural on the side of a building near the foot of the OB pier. Artist Celeste Byers collaborated with Aaron Glasson.
A small totem pole and some geraniums.
A small totem pole and some geraniums.
Surfing street art on OB utility box shows a view down the barrel of perfect wave.
Surfing street art on OB utility box shows a view down the barrel of perfect wave.
Motorcycle graphic on repair shop wall.
Motorcycle graphic on repair shop wall.
A mermaid holds ocean gifts. A mural in an Ocean Beach alley above a dumpster.
A mermaid holds a shell full of ocean gifts. A mural in an Ocean Beach alley above a dumpster.
Images of breaking surf high on a building wall.
Images of breaking surf high on a building wall.
Candy and goodies depicted on a colorfully painted Beach Sweets sign.
Candy and goodies depicted on a colorfully painted Beach Sweets sign.
This octopus on Newport Avenue seems to enjoy beer and pizza. One can grab a lot with eight tentacles!
This octopus on Newport Avenue seems to enjoy beer and pizza. One can grab a lot with eight tentacles!
A pelican, pizza and ale.
A pelican, pizza and ale.
Ocean Beach Surf School truck features cool surfer art.
Ocean Beach Surf School truck parked by sand features cool surfer art.
A splash of urban art on the side of the Hodads building.
A splash of urban art on the side of the Hodad’s building.
Another of many community murals in Ocean Beach. This one depicts underwater sea life.
Another of the many community murals in Ocean Beach. This one depicts underwater sea life.
What appears to be a tropical island scene on a utility box in OB.
What appears to be a tropical island scene on a utility box in OB.
Art along a sidewalk shows lush vegetation and the OB pier.
Art along a sidewalk shows lush vegetation and the OB pier.
Three parrots take flight.
Three parrots take flight.
Surfboards lie in wait beyond open door of the groovy USA Hostels Ocean Beach.
Surfboards lie in wait beyond open door of the groovy USA Hostels Ocean Beach.
Street lamp on Newport Avenue features palm trees.
Street lamp on Newport Avenue features palm trees.
Car with surfboard drives down Newport Avenue past tattoo parlor street art signs.
Car with surfboard drives down Newport Avenue past hair salon and tattoo parlor street art signs.
Don't believe the hype! You are already beautiful. Music, expression, love.
Don’t believe the hype! You are already beautiful. Music, expression, love.
Volkswagen bug appears to have emerged from the 60s, with peace signs and psychedelic designs.
Volkswagen bug appears to have emerged from the 60s, with peace signs and psychedelic designs.
Ocean Beach community mural features bicycles.
Ocean Beach community mural features bicycles.
The OB Christmas tree near the beach is a focal point of this cool community mural!
The OB Christmas tree near the beach is a focal point of this cool community mural!

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This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego!  Are you curious?  There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!

Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts.  If you’re using a small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!

To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Dots, squares, cubes, and a crazy tangle.

Colorful dots on the side of a building in downtown San Diego.
Colorful dots on the side of a building in downtown San Diego.

Every walk through the city is a voyage of discovery. Everywhere you turn there are sudden surprises of color, form and depth. An inquisitive scientist might see geometric order; an artist might discern shades, intimations, emotion.

This morning, during a walk through downtown, I photographed dots, squares, cubes and a rather crazy tangle.

Six blue squares on the north side of the Columbia Place building.
Six blue squares on the north side of the Columbia Place building.
Steel cubes on west side of Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, which is housed in the Santa Fe Depot's old baggage terminal. Art by Richard Serra, 2005.
Steel cubes on west side of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, which is housed in the Santa Fe Depot’s old baggage terminal. Art by Richard Serra, 2005.  Litter atop cube 1 is by Anonymous.  Idealized (though rusty) art meets messy (real) life.
A crazy tangle of electrical lines in the entrance of the David C. Copley Building in downtown San Diego.
A crazy tangle of electrical lines in the entrance of the David C. Copley Building in downtown San Diego. A sculpture at MCASD. Power Maze with Sconce, Roman de Salvo, 1998.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Cool street art: The Nest Murals near Chicano Park.

The Nest Murals include a big blue whale on a yellow fence in Barrio Logan, not far from downtown San Diego.
The Nest Murals include a big blue whale on a yellow fence in Barrio Logan, not far from downtown San Diego.

I stumbled upon a collection of colorful murals the other day while walking through Barrio Logan. A project of The Nest, founded by San Diego artist Jorge Mendoza, this very cool street art can be found near the intersection of National Avenue and Evans Street, a block southeast of Chicano Park.

Check out these pics!

Boldly spray painted designs dazzle the eye and inspire imagination.
Boldly spray painted designs dazzle the eye and inspire imagination.
A large eye watches Evans Street, a block southeast of Chicano Park.
A large eye watches Evans Street, a block southeast of Chicano Park.
Swirls of blue, green, pink, and an old Volkswagen Beetle.
Swirls of blue, green, pink, and an old Volkswagen Beetle.
Entering an alley, we see a lot more cool street art spray painted on a fence.
Entering an alley, we see a lot more cool street art spray painted on a fence.
A brush-head and skull-flower makes one look twice.
A brush-head and skull-flower makes one look twice.
Three eyes in a blazing sun, which shines from The Nest Murals in Barrio Logan.
Three eyes in a blazing sun, which shines from The Nest Murals in Barrio Logan.
Odd creatures made of cloth, buttons and pins paint graffiti on a garage door.
Odd creatures made of cloth, buttons and pins paint graffiti on a garage door.
A hand emerges from the mouth of a fish at The Nest Murals.
A hand emerges from the mouth of a fish at The Nest Murals.
Fun colorful designs include cheese.
Colorful artwork includes images of cheese.
A face with odd geometric features in the Barrio Logan alley.
A face with odd features in the Barrio Logan alley.
Super creative street art at The Nest Murals, located near Chicano Park.
Very creative street art at The Nest Murals, located near Chicano Park.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to enjoy!

Weird, funny aquariums at a fishy fish show.

People enjoy unusual aquarium displays at the San Diego Tropical Fish Society Annual Show in Balboa Park.
People enjoy unusual aquarium displays at the San Diego Tropical Fish Society Annual Show in Balboa Park.

Time for a laugh! Here are some weird, funny, and wonderfully creative fish aquariums!

Today I photographed some of the most humorous aquariums on display at the San Diego Tropical Fish Society Annual Show in Balboa Park. I was delighted to see so much unleashed craziness and imagination. Looks like this fishy hobby can be a lot of fun. Check these out!

A very unique aquarium contains two upside down glass goblets and one upside down glass fish bowl. The latter acts as a sort of sky observatory for the finny inhabitants.
A very unique aquarium contains two upside down goblets and one upside down glass fish bowl. The latter acts as a sort of sky observatory for the finny inhabitants.
Star Wars characters stand atop an aquarium from a galaxy far, far away. The space-like interior features a duel between a TIE fighter and X-Wing.
Star Wars characters stand atop an aquarium from a galaxy far, far away. The space-like interior features a duel between a randomly drifting TIE fighter and X-Wing, while darting red fish appear to be laser blasts.
Dr. Who and a companion have traveled by TARDIS into the strange unearthly interior of this humorous aquarium.
Doctor Who and a companion have traveled by TARDIS into the strange, unearthly interior of this humorous aquarium.
An old blender or coffee maker make for fine tropical fish aquariums, I suppose. Just don't turn them on.
An old blender or coffee maker makes  a fine tropical fish aquarium, I suppose. Just don’t turn them on.
I'm sure a fish was hiding somewhere in the ruins of the lost city of Atlantis.
I’m sure a fish was hiding somewhere in the ruins of the lost city of Atlantis.
Who said bonsai plants couldn't be submerged? Makes for a lovely but rather fishy garden.
Who said bonsai plants couldn’t be submerged? Makes for a lovely but rather fishy garden.
And an underwater Buddha, too! These fish must be on the path to nirvana.
And an underwater Buddha, too! These fish must be on the watery path to nirvana.
An aquarium alive with silly Minions and Lego creations and color. Oh, and some shy yellow fish, too.
An aquarium alive with silly Minions and Lego creations and jumbled color. Oh, and some shy fish, too.
A yellow submarine in a Beatles-themed tropical fish aquarium. Photo taken in Balboa Park during the San Diego Tropical Fish Society Annual Show!
A yellow submarine in a Beatles-themed tropical fish aquarium. Another fun photo taken in Balboa Park during the San Diego Tropical Fish Society Annual Show!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to enjoy!

Create a collage in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village!

A cool work of art pieced together in Balboa Park's Spanish Village. Anyone can do this!
A cool work of art pieced together in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village. Anyone can do this!

My weekend walk in Balboa Park took me through Spanish Village Art Center. For a few pleasant minutes I paused to watch artist Kathi Vargo piecing together collages and unique assemblage at a table in the middle of the patio. Anyone passing by was invited to join in!

I learned that Kathi offers Paint and Paper Play classes where absolutely anybody can learn to create mixed media collages. If you’re interested, visit her website!

Kathi Vargo was having a fun Paint and Paper Play Collage Workshop in the middle of the Spanish Village Art Center's colorful patio.
Kathi Vargo was having a fun Paint and Paper Play Collage Workshop in the middle of the Spanish Village Art Center’s colorful patio.
All sorts of objects can be used to assemble this unique artwork.
All sorts of objects can be used to assemble this unique artwork.
Applying some paint to a strip of material.
Applying some paint to a strip of material.
Creating art expands the mind, enriches the spirit, and is just plain fun!
Creating art expands the mind, enriches the spirit, and is just plain fun!
You can make this!
You can make this!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

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One voice in support of saving the Starlight Bowl.

You can help save Balboa Park's beloved Starlight Bowl!
You can help save Balboa Park’s beloved Starlight Bowl!

I’m no expert on this matter. Take whatever I say with a grain of salt. I’m just an ordinary guy who has lived in San Diego for a good chunk of my life.

I would like to raise my voice in support of saving the Starlight Bowl in Balboa Park. I’m not affiliated with Save Starlight. They have no clue who I am. But I’m attached to their cause. A chain of fond memories is my bond.

Years ago I enjoyed watching a variety of theatrical productions with my family in this beloved outdoor amphitheater. Some of those productions I experienced as a child and young adult, and they made a lasting impression. They helped me to develop my particular love for the written (and spoken) word, and for the great outdoors. My small world expanded as I sat beneath a universe of twinkling stars and absorbed great plays–those undying expressions of human longing, emotion and imagination. And it was simply exciting–like going to an outdoor concert!

I’m sure thousands–if not millions–of people have similar memories of the Starlight Bowl: memories of fine drama and pleasure under those twinkling stars, of laughs, tears and smiles, out in the fresh San Diego air, a short walk from the many other wonderful institutions in Balboa Park.

The Starlight Bowl has languished far too long. What a shame. When I walk past it during my strolls around Balboa Park, I can’t help but envision it once again filled with humanity, playing a unique role in our ever-growing city. Save Starlight is working to bring the large, functional amphitheater back to life. According to an email I received, they are now working with the city, and they intend to fill the Starlight Bowl with concerts, musicals, dance recitals, circus acts, magic shows, multicultural festivals, graduations, and much more. A few more ideas have also popped into my head: corporate events, lectures, a meeting place for large community organizations . . .

Many of my blog’s followers either live in or have a personal attachment to San Diego. Would you like to help with this effort? You know, social media sites like Facebook can have a surprisingly big impact if people post and share information and opinions. So why not make your support known? Or perhaps just tell your friends about what’s going on.

Save Starlight is making a presentation to the City of San Diego within a week, and a handwritten letter of support would be extremely powerful. Ideas for a letter might include your personal connection with Starlight, practical reasons why you would like to see the Starlight Bowl reopened, or even how you would like to become involved. Perhaps you’d like to volunteer, donate, use the venue for staging an event, have your product carried in the concessions, etc. If you plan to write, do it soon!

Letters should be sent to:

Stephen Stopper, President
Save Starlight, Inc.
9590 Chesapeake Drive
San Diego, CA 92123

The Starlight Bowl might once again be filled with humanity and magic. Your voice is important.
After languishing for many years, the Starlight Bowl might once again be filled with humanity and life. You can help make it happen.  Your voice is important.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!